"Business to business spending in Washington is brisk, and it's pushing demand for workers in administrative services, including employment services," said the agency's chief economist Rick Kaglic in his monthly missive Tuesday.

Employment gains during December were once again widespread, but driven by hiring in professional and business services (+3,700). Hiring in construction statewide picked up in December and finished strong for the year, with construction firms adding 1,600 new jobs.

"For those who are looking for a slowdown in the housing markets, they're not going to find it in our employment numbers," Kaglic said.

There was, however, softness in the trade numbers. Retail trade employment fell 1,200 in December and November's increase was revised down to 200, rather than the 900 job gain initially reported, Kaglic said.

"At the end of the day, retail hiring was a disappointment for the holiday season," he said.

In the Seattle PMSA, preliminary numbers provided by the state agency show private employers added 3,300 workers in December while government shed 1,400 jobs. As a result, unemployment fell to 4.7% from 4.9% at the end of November. Year over year, private employment in the Seattle PMSA grew by 49,400 jobs while government employment shrunk by 1,300 jobs.

Instant Insights /

Employment Report: State's Economic Expansion Continues

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